Division Power Rankings: Nashville Predators Plummet Further

Chad Minton’s Rankings

Chad Minton’s Rankings (@chad_minton)

A problem is already starting to present itself in the standings for the Nashville Predators, and it’s the top-four teams they’re chasing have also played fewer games.

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In a 56-game schedule, head-to-head matchups are going to mean everything. All four of the Predators’ losses are to teams in my top-four.

I’m moving the Carolina Hurricanes ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the first time this season. Carolina looks like the most complete team in the division and one that can adapt their playing style to whoever they’re playing.

The Dallas Stars fall back to No.4. If you take away their one blowout 7-0 win over the Predators, they’ve been a team that’s had to win close games, even against the Red Wings.

Then you have the Florida Panthers, which some people might think I’m missing the boat on them and they should be higher. They’re a solid team that gets up to No.3 this week, but my eyes are on that upcoming series this week with the Predators.

Columbus, Chicago and Detroit have all played 10 games this season and games against each other to inflate their points. They haven’t shown me anything too impressive, although Columbus will stick around for a while.

Colin Blouin’s Rankings (@colinblouin)

Colin Blouin’s Rankings (@colinblouin)

Tampa Bay is still Tampa Bay, with all the speed and firepower one would want to see in a team. They look pretty damn good, though prone to slip-ups every now and again.

Dallas still looks like they could beat just about anyone any given night and also boasts some strong firepower and solid goaltending.

Carolina has an unrelenting offense that can really push time of possession but also strike at seemingly the first chance they get – they’re opportunistic and it makes them dangerous.

Florida seems to be maintaining the upward trajectory they were on at the end of 2020.

Nashville has flashes of solid team hockey, looking very strong when at even strength, but a woeful penalty kill coupled with a very bad powerplay makes special teams their undoing – if anything keeps them out of the playoffs, it will be that.

Columbus just doesn’t wow me, and I think it’s the inconsistency – they’re capable of being decent but can’t seem to show it night in and night out. Chicago is bad, but Detroit is worse, and there isn’t really much else I can say than that…at least nothing nice.

Max Greenberg’s Rankings (@MaxGreenberg176)

After giving it much thought, I decided to give the Hurricanes the top spot in this week’s rankings.

The Hurricanes pulling off three straight wins against the Lightning and Stars was huge, and their momentum was enough for them to overtake the latter, who have been hurt partially due to lack of games played.

It was originally tough to decide on the fourth through sixth spots, but they ended up staying the same.  Each team finished the week similar to the way they started it, which is why there was no change in that order.

And finally, the final two spots remain the same.  They Blackhawks still look as bad as we thought they would be, while the Red Wings were the only team to go winless last week.

As far as this week goes, the Panthers are the team to watch.  They might currently lead the division with eleven points, but have lucked out by playing four of their first six games against the Blackhawks and Red Wings.

Back-to-back games against a roughly equal Predators team will give everyone a much better sense of how good or bad they are.

Rich Howe’s Rankings (@Rich_Howe_9)

The Carolina Hurricanes are in the top spot this week due to the hot streak they have going at the moment. They have won four straight, but their last three are of the most interest. They defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning and followed that up with consecutive wins against the Dallas Stars.

Carolina is a tough team who relies on their skill and skating abilities to get the job done. I like their game at the moment.

The 2nd and 3rd slots are pretty interchangeable. Dallas and Tampa Bay are very hard to win against as they both boast top goaltenders. They show some holes in their games, which is good news for the other teams in the Central.

If all of the other teams can step up to these two teams and give them a taste of their own medicine, then success is to be had. The Columbus Blue Jackets are playing pretty good hockey and continue to pick up points. They share the top spot in the division with Florida.

However, Columbus remains an enigma as they have struggled against lesser teams and flourished against some of the stronger ones. The Panthers have only lost one game, but have yet to face one of the big boys of the Central. The majority of Florida’s wins have required extra time.

Finally, we have the bottom three. The Nashville Predators took a big dive this week due to their inability to play a full 60 minutes and their woeful special teams.

The Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings are interchangeable at the moment. Both seem to make some headway but then face stronger teams and slide back down. The Blackhawks have lost seven games overall.

Having only won two games, the Red Wings can’t seem to catch a break or gain any traction.

Predlines Composite Rankings

1. Carolina Hurricanes (Last Week: 3)

2. Tampa Bay Lightning (Last Week: 1)

3. Dallas Stars (Last Week: 2)

4. Florida Panthers (Last Week: 4)

5. Columbus Blue Jackets (Last Week: 6)

6. Nashville Predators (Last Week: 5)

7. Chicago Blackhawks (Last Week: 7)

8. Detroit Red Wings (Last Week: 8)